by Rabbi David Lyon | Nov 5, 2019 | Uncategorized
The Torah portion this week begins with the words, “Lech-L’cha,” go forth…to a place that I will show you. These are the words that God commanded Abraham. Commentaries correctly note that the command from God is redundant. “Lech,”...
by astoundz | Nov 4, 2019
by astoundz | Oct 31, 2019
by astoundz | Oct 30, 2019
by Rabbi David Lyon | Oct 24, 2019 | Uncategorized
One year ago, a lone gunman walked into Tree of Life Synagogue, in Pittsburgh, and murdered and injured worshipers in the synagogue. The horrifying news spread around the world, but it left the deepest impressions on Jewish communities, especially in America. If it...
by astoundz | Oct 22, 2019
by astoundz | Oct 22, 2019
The cold weather has brought with it some unfortunate news. Cantor Star Trompeter is battling laryngitis due to a virus and is recuperating at home. Therefore, we are postponing Folk Music Shabbat until a later date. On November 15th, Shabbat Services, plus wedding...
by astoundz | Oct 22, 2019
by astoundz | Oct 22, 2019
by astoundz | Oct 8, 2019
by astoundz | Oct 8, 2019
by astoundz | Oct 8, 2019
by astoundz | Oct 8, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 27, 2019
Tools provided, just bring muscles and energy. RSVP to Marcus Litofsky. Everyone is welcome.
by astoundz | Sep 27, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 27, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 24, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 24, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 24, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 24, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 24, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 24, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 24, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 11, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 11, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 11, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 11, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 11, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 11, 2019
Southwest Diplomatic Marathon Sunday, September 15, 2019, 2PM – 8PM Congregation Beth Israel The annual AJC Southwest Diplomatic Marathon consists of a series of small group panel discussions with diplomats representing nations across the world, followed by an evening...
by astoundz | Sep 11, 2019
by astoundz | Sep 11, 2019
by Rabbi David Lyon | Sep 6, 2019 | Uncategorized
Newton’s third law of physics states that “every action has an equal and opposite reaction.” I learned it in basic physics in school. It always appealed to me, because it was logical, observable, and true. Physics wouldn’t be my field of study,...
by Rabbi David Lyon | Aug 29, 2019 | Uncategorized
You probably don’t know the name, Edmond Fleg (1874-1963). He was a Jewish French writer, thinker, and playwright of the 20th century. During WWI, he joined the French Foreign Legion, to fight for his adopted country. He was later honored for his military...
by Rabbi David Lyon | Aug 15, 2019 | Uncategorized
In April, 2016, New York Times columnist, Arthur Brooks, wrote, “Liberals should be liberals and conservatives should be conservatives. But our duty is to be respectful, fair and friendly to all, even those with whom we have great differences.” The title of the...
by Rabbi David Lyon | Aug 8, 2019 | Uncategorized
After two massacres in our nation we struggle deeply. Though they can’t prevent it from happening again, our thoughts and prayers can begin to heal us from within. Words from Jewish liturgy help us cope through the bitterness with hope for greater peace ahead. From...
by astoundz | Aug 2, 2019
by Rabbi David Lyon | Aug 1, 2019 | Uncategorized
“Tikkun Olam” (repairing the world) gets a bad rap from some, and maybe for good reason. Tikkun Olam is an aspiration that has roots in Jewish texts, including mysticism, and has become a veritable watchword of Reform Judaism. This brief sentence can’t explain...
by Rabbi David Lyon | Jul 25, 2019 | Uncategorized
Two weeks ago, I was in Israel. At 2am, one morning, my phone began to buzz. The message was that a terrible death occurred. A 29-year-old man, whom I had known since he was a boy, had succumbed to a drug overdose. He was suffering from real physical pain, but six...
by Rabbi David Lyon | Jul 18, 2019 | Uncategorized
I just returned from a week in Israel. It wasn’t a tour and I wasn’t leading a group. Instead, the AIEF (American-Israel Education Foundation) of AIPAC, invited me to join sixteen other progressive rabbis (Reform and Conservative) to participate in an intensive and...
by Rabbi David Lyon | Jul 2, 2019 | Uncategorized
I’ve often said, “The future of Judaism will not be built on mediocrity; it will be built on excellence.” Excellent rabbis, cantors, educators, and lay leaders will contribute to great ideas and outcomes. In our long history, Congregation Beth Israel has been very...
by Rabbi David Lyon | Jun 27, 2019 | Uncategorized
Summer TimeAfter a full and meaningful year, it’s time for vacation. And, what a year it’s been. I’m grateful for the fullness of the year, the programs, worship services, and events that we’ve provided our Temple members, guests and visitors. Clergy, lay leaders,...
by Rabbi David Lyon | Jun 20, 2019 | Uncategorized
Let’s Do ThisAt one time or another, all of us have said, “Don’t shoot the messenger.” Did you know that it comes from as least 442 BCE, when it was first expressed by Sophocles? It was also part of Shakespeare’s “Henry IV” (1598). It could have also come from Torah,...
by Rabbi David Lyon | Jun 13, 2019 | Uncategorized
Prayer is in Your HeartOpen up your TaNaCh, your Hebrew Bible, to Numbers 12. It’s one of my favorite portions, because it begins with the familial conflict between Moses, Miriam and Aaron, and ends with the prayer that Moses offers on his sister’s behalf. To me, the...
by astoundz | Jun 6, 2019
MARCH WITH KESHET IN THE PRIDE PARADE — JUNE 22ND Congregation Beth Israel is pleased to be community partners with Keshet Houston, an organization that brings the Jewish and LGBT communities together in Houston and Southeast Texas. On Saturday, June 22nd, Keshet...
by Rabbi David Lyon | Jun 6, 2019
by Rabbi David Lyon | Jun 6, 2019 | Uncategorized
Freedom to ChooseThirty years ago, we witnessed the horror taking place at Tiananmen Square. On television, we had first-row seats to the unbelievable sight of tanks bearing down on a student protestor and the brutality of the Communist regime against democracy...
by astoundz | Jun 6, 2019
by Rabbi David Lyon | May 30, 2019 | Uncategorized
Gratitude for 165 YearsRabbi Karff used to say, “The only thing worse than a boring Annual Meeting is an interesting one.” Thankfully, we haven’t had an interesting Annual Meeting in a long time. Due to our commitment to stewardship of our budget, care for our...
by Rabbi David Lyon | May 23, 2019 | Uncategorized
God Says Yes“Yes” is a powerful word. It enables us to be more than we are, because it gives us permission to try. Sources of permission begin with us, but they also include parents, supervisors, and surrounding cultural norms. But, let’s not forget or underestimate...
by astoundz | May 17, 2019
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